U.S. Enters Direct Discussions with Hamas Amid Israeli Military Threats
On Wednesday, the United States confirmed its unprecedented direct engagement with Hamas concerning the ongoing hostage crisis, coinciding with Israel’s threats to resume its military actions in Gaza, despite the existence of a fragile ceasefire. The White House reported that President Donald Trump’s envoy for hostage affairs, Adam Boehler, led discussions focusing on American citizens still held captive by Hamas in Gaza.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt informed reporters, “Israel was consulted on this matter.” She emphasized, “Engaging in dialogue with parties around the world to prioritize the welfare of the American people is a principle the President stands behind.”
Historically, the U.S. has maintained a policy of no direct contact with Hamas, classified as a terrorist group since 1997. However, Leavitt clarified that the special envoy has the authorization to communicate with any entity in pursuit of his objectives.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel was involved in the consultation process and stated that it provided feedback regarding the direct talks. The discussions were first highlighted by Axios, which noted that Boehler’s meetings with Hamas took place in Qatar and pertained both to American hostages and broader negotiations for a ceasefire.
Currently, five Americans are thought to remain among the hostages captured during the significant assault by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Authorities have confirmed that four of these individuals are deceased, while Edan Alexander is believed to still be alive.
As the first phase of a ceasefire concluded over the weekend, Israel announced its intent to halt all goods and supply entry into Gaza, which has faced extensive damage due to over a year and a half of military actions. The first phase of the ceasefire facilitated some exchanges of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners.
Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir stated, “Hamas has suffered significant setbacks, but it has not been defeated. Our mission remains incomplete.” Zamir’s comments echoed Prime Minister Netanyahu’s warnings of “unimaginable consequences” if Hamas does not release its remaining hostages.
Out of 251 captives taken by Hamas, 58 are still held in Gaza, including 34 individuals who the Israeli military has confirmed are deceased. Meanwhile, France, Britain, and Germany characterized the humanitarian situation in Gaza as “catastrophic,” calling upon Israel to facilitate “unhindered” humanitarian aid delivery.
South Africa accused Israel of weaponizing starvation through its blockade of aid to Gaza since the weekend. The Hamas offensive led to the deaths of 1,218 individuals, primarily civilians, while Israel’s military response has resulted in the deaths of at least 48,440 in Gaza, the majority also civilians, according to figures released by both sides.
Amidst these developments, Trump has pledged significant backing for Israel, suggesting an idea to govern the Gaza Strip and displace its population — a proposal that has been widely criticized globally. In contrast, Arab leaders are advocating for an alternative reconstruction plan that would establish a trust fund to aid Gaza’s recovery.
A draft of this plan, reviewed by AFP, includes a five-year strategy costing approximately $53 billion, the sum estimated by the United Nations for rebuilding Gaza. However, this figure was absent from the final statement of a recent summit.
The gathering also proposed that governance representation be consolidated under the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), which dominates the Palestinian Authority. This move is seen as potentially marginalizing Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since 2007 and is not part of the PLO.
Hugh Lovatt, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, remarked that the proposed Arab plan is “far more realistic” compared to the Trump administration’s suggestions regarding operation feasibility. Conversely, Ghassan Khatib, a Palestinian political analyst and former PA minister, expressed skepticism about the plan’s practicality, highlighting insufficient financial details and political challenges it may face.
Khatib stated, “The only major influencers in Gaza are Israel and Hamas, and their stances do not align with this proposal. Expecting Israel to abandon Trump’s plan for the Arab plan lacks viability.”
Join our Channel...